Spotlight on Terrara Ward with Cr Raylene Carr

Progress on the Vermont South Club pavilion

An important sporting facility upgrade happening in my ward is the new $2.9m pavilion for the lawn bowlers at Vermont South Club. I recently went to check the progress, and construction is well underway and the pavilion is tipped to be ready in early 2024. It will include a larger multi-purpose social room, new accessible bathrooms, kitchen and bar facilities and an outdoor viewing deck. Vermont South Club also offers tennis and darts so be sure to go check out everything they have to offer once works are completed.

Morack Public Golf update

I am excited to hear about the progress on the redevelopment of Morack Public Golf, one of the most popular leisure attractions not just in my ward, but all of Whitehorse. The driving range has temporarily closed for its huge upgrade – and if you enjoyed hitting a few balls or working on your drives there, please be patient while it is off limits for a

Supporting local is everybody’s business

The new financial year has arrived, time for a clean slate.

Thinking local is not just for retail purchases. Quality, convenient professional services are dotted throughout the municipality. Do you need: few months. Remember that the course is still open for rounds while all the works are going on, so be sure to head down and have a hit with your friends.

▪ a dental check-up?

▪ a car service?

▪ a medical appointment?

▪ taxation advice?

Choosing a local professional means you do not waste time travelling and the service you receive will have ongoing benefits for the broader community.

Take the time to get to know local business owners by name and remember to share your positive reviews online and with your networks - these make a real difference to the success of our local businesses.

Get involved at Vermont South Neighbourhood House

Just down the road from Vermont South Club, one of my favourite community hubs is

5 Star Food Program

Brentford Square Charcoal Chicken has been named Council’s 5 Star Food Safe business for July after they achieved outstanding results in a recent inspection.

The takeaway food shop, currently managed by Nick and Mary Marapas, opened in Forest Hill in 1991 and has been operating for more than 30 years. Find out about other local businesses that achieved excellent star ratings by visiting www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/ ehealth-portal

Address: 3 Brentford Square, Forest Hill

Trading Hours: 10am-8pm daily Phone: 9894 1355 the Vermont South Neighbourhood House. They have an on-site café run by the lovely Claudia, and a huge variety of great value classes and courses. You can brush up on your cooking skills, learn a new instrument or language, get involved in some arts and crafts or practice some yoga or meditation. Be sure to drop into the house on Karobran Dr or visit their website - vsnh.org.au –to see what you can do there.

Website: “Brentford Square Charcoal Chicken” on Facebook.

Spend locally and win!

The Winter Warmers competition is now on.

Simply spend at least $10 in any Whitehorse business, upload your receipt to our website and go in the draw to win one of five $250 local business voucher packs.

There will be one voucher pack to be won each week during July. Remember to keep your paper receipt to enter!

L Find out more and submit your entries online at www.whitehorse.vic.gov. au/winter-warmers

Get involved at Whitehorse's new Repair Cafe

We’re excited to announce the healthAbility Repair Cafe will open in Whitehorse on 12 August 2023 – and will be held monthly at Strathdon House in Forest Hill.

How our new Waste Service Charge impacts you

Starting this month, Council is changing the way we charge for waste and recycling services, to make it more transparent, fair and sustainable.

Until now, Council has charged for waste and recycling services through the general rates plus supplementary bin charges for food and garden organics bins, and any larger or additional garbage bins.

General rates are calculated based on the capital improved value (CIV) of the property. This means rate payers contribute to most waste and recycling services based on the CIV of their property. Properties with a higher CIV pay more for the same service than properties with a lower

CIV. But from the start of this financial year (1 July), all rateable properties in Whitehorse will be charged the same fee for the standard waste and recycling services they receive.

The Waste Service Charge is not an additional fee. The charges for waste and recycling services will be separated from the general rates and listed separately on your annual rate notice, which you receive in August.

Your rates will be recalculated to reflect this separation.

L For more information search

‘Waste Service Charge’ at Council’s website.

Every year, tonnes of household items end up in landfill simply because they were broken. Repair Cafes try and fix broken items so they can continue to be used for years to come.

Ahead of the launch, the team is looking for volunteers to join the repairer community!

The roles include:

▪ General Support with Admin/ Reception/Coordination

▪ Bike Mechanic

▪ Clothing and Sewing

▪ Furniture Maker/Repairer

▪ Basic PC and Laptop Repairer

▪ Clock and Watch Repairer

▪ Mechanical Repairer

▪ Electrical Engineer

▪ Musical Instrument Repairer

▪ Book Binding Repairer

▪ Jewellery Repairer

▪ ‘Odd Job’ Repairersbe prepared for anything!

Where possible, repairers will demonstrate how the broken item can be repaired and in doing so, share some basic repair skills. If you wish to help in any of these roles or would like to know more, please email Repair Cafe Manager Stewart Blair at Stewart.Blair@healthability.org.au

L For further information and to view the job description, visit: www.healthability. org.au/join-us/volunteersand-student-placement

Council lights the way and reduces greenhouse gas emissions

Another section of street lights has just been upgraded, brightening our local streets with energy efficient LEDs.

Keep an eye out for the upgraded decorative street lights along the length of Whitehorse Road and on Station Street and Carrington Road in Box Hill.

The two-year Decorative Street Light Changeover project was funded by a $1.2m Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure grant.

The grant enabled Council to upgrade a total of 628 lights to energy efficient LEDs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2980 tonnes over their 20-year lifespan. That's the equivalent of removing 663 cars off the road for one year!

In addition to these environmental benefits, improved lighting increases safety on our local roads and delivers savings due to reduced electricity and maintenance costs.

New Positive Ageing role for Council

Council is excited to announce our new Positive Ageing function to support all Whitehorse residents.

Our new Positive Ageing function will:

▪ ensure Council provides services and facilities that are developed with the priorities, interests and needs of older residentsin mind

▪ support community development, enabling our community to connect, learn, volunteer and participate as we get older

▪ support older residents to navigate systems and supports in place for older people, and to advocate for high quality, responsive and inclusive services.

This follows Council’s decision to exit the Commonwealth Home Support Programme as a service provider, and expand its Positive

Plastic Free July fun at Whitehorse Neighbourhood Houses

Whitehorse Neighbourhood Houses are thrilled to be an active participant in a global sustainability event, Plastic Free July.

Ageing function so that it’s not constrained by age limits or eligibility criteria.

Once fully staffed, Council will have one of the largest Positive Ageing teams in Victoria. Director of Community Services, Lisa Letic said the new program will have a broader appeal and impact across Whitehorse.

“We already apply a seniors’ lens to community development, but our new Positive Ageing program will expand what we can do and who we can reach.

“We want to break down the barriers to social isolation and improve community connection so older people can participate and be active members in the community. This includes helping older people understand what services are available and how they can access them, especially if there’s a digital divide.”

L More information about Council’s Positive Ageing program will be available during the Seniors and Positive Ageing Festival in October. The community and older people will also be invited to participate in a survey to help design the Positive Ageing program. Subscribe to stay up-to-date by emailing positiveageing@whitehorse. vic.gov.au or call 9292 6110.

Bin signage design wins gold award at GOV Design Awards

Whitehorse City Council and Chee Design have won Gold at the 2023 GOV Design Awards for the Box Hill Bin Signage Project.

The initiative encourages millions of people worldwide to be part of the solution to plastic pollution, which is having a devastating impact on our oceans, waterways and in our communities. There are 10 Neighbourhood Houses in Whitehorse conducting a range of programs and activities on your doorstep, so come along and learn how to live a more sustainable plastic free life.

Activities include:

▪ Plastic free morning teas

▪ Plastic free pop-up events including recycling and upcycling craft activities

▪ Composting basics

▪ A biodiversity information session

▪ Make your own Beeswax wraps

▪ A FOGO bin information session in Chinese

▪ War on Waste information on recycling your batteries and phones.

All these activities will be free or low cost, so contact your local Neighbourhood House and get involved in making the world a better, more sustainable place.

L Find out more information at www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/ plastic-free-july and the calendar of events at neighbourhood houses by visiting www.whitehorsecommunityhouses.org

The GOV Design Awards are a global program, accepting international nominations that celebrate the courage of commissioners and creators of design projects within the government, community and public sectors. This project promotes responsible waste disposal in Box Hill with 10 location-specific poster designs that showcase local parks, waterways and native flora and fauna.

We're proud to represent Box Hill's cultural diversity and engage the community through visually appealing posters that harmonise with the surroundings.

The posters, displayed in 36 locations, convey specific messages that highlight environmental benefits, lifestyle amenities, community support and reusable items.

The featured design (pictured) connects culturally diverse residents with their community while promoting responsible waste disposal. Other posters also creatively incorporate the Box Hill logo with wildlife, shopping bags and coffee cups.

Whitehorse Calendar

Activate Whitehorse

Creating Community – A Gathering Of Creatives

Join the Koonung Cottage team for coffee, chats and crafts. Bring your own project or join the team in planning and creating group-made upcycling projects. No experience necessary.

Where: Laneway next to Cellarmasters, South Parade, Blackburn

When: 12, 19 and 26 July, 10am-12pm. Weather permitting, call on the day to confirm.

More Information: 9878 6632 or info@koonungcottage.org.au

Friends For Reconcilliation

Learn more about this community group which is focused on discussing ways of enhancing reconciliation and respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Where: Red Activation Pod, Box Hill Mall

When: Lunchtime on 14, 19 and 28 July

For more information on Activate Whitehorse events and to plan your own, visit: whitehorse.vic.gov.au/ things-do/planning-your-event/ activate-whitehorse

Youth And Parenting

Sexual Health Victoria Forum

Parents and carers of young people aged 10-18 years can engage with an experienced Sexual Health Victoria educator to discuss relationships and sexuality education. It will include information around talking to young people about healthy relationships, consent, sex and sexuality in online environments, sexual health and accessing health services, along with question and answer time.

When: Tuesday 18 July, 7pm-8:30pm Bookings: Please register at whitehorse. vic.gov.au/talking-your-young-peopleabout-relationships-sexual-health

More information: 9262 6175 or parentresource@whitehorse.vic.gov.au

Markets

Whitehorse Farmers Market

Stock up on fresh produce, crafts and other goodies at this monthly market organised by Whitehorse’s Rotary and Rotaract clubs outside Council’s Civic Centre.

When: Sunday 9 July, 9am-1pm

Where: Whitehorse Civic Centre, 379-399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading

More Information: ‘Rotary Whitehorse Farmers’ Market’ on Facebook

Arts Nunawading Market

Local makers offering a wide range of handmade goods from unique art and crafts to fresh produce and delicious gourmet food.

When: Sunday 23 July, 9am-2pm

Where: Whitehorse Civic Centre, 379-399 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading More Information: www. artsnunawading.org.au/market

Environment

Food Organics Garden Organics Recovery Facility Tour

Find out what happens to your waste once it’s collected on an educational tour of Bio Gro’s organics recovery facility, used by Council.

When: Thursday 20 July, 9am

Where: Meet out the front of the Nunawading Library (next to the Whitehorse Civic Centre)

More Information: Email green@whitehorse.vic.gov.au

Plastic Free July: Rebecca Luiz

The founder of Plastic Free July, Rebecca Luiz, will share solutions and stories from people making small steps to reduce plastic waste.

When: Tuesday 11 July, 7pm

Where: Online via Zoom, register by visiting the ‘What’s On’ page at Council’s website.

Box Hill Community Arts Centre

Birds Eye – Santosh Mahale

An immersive solo exhibition on travel art by a Box Hill based self-taught artist.

When: 4-16 July, with official launch on 8 July, 5pm-7pm

This Is Me

Enter The Avenue Neighbourhood House’s Self Portrait competition by 12 July for your chance to win a $500 prize. All entries must come with an artist statement and be drawn in portrait mode, not landscape.

When: Exhibition at BHCAC from 18-30 July

Cost: $10 entry fee, includes canvas. Winner announced 30 July. More Information: The Avenue Neighbourhood House: 9808 2000, info@theavenue.org.au

Box Hill Community Arts Centre is at 470 Station St, Box Hill and is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Weekends 10am-4pm.

PERFORMING ARTS –WHITEHORSE PRESENTS

Night and Day

The fabulous Gina Hogan returns to the stage with another standout show featuring songs from Doris Day and Shirley Bassey. With songs like ‘Secret Love’, ‘Everybody Loves A Lover’, ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ and ‘I Who Have Nothing’, you’ll be taken on a trip down memory lane.

When: Wednesday 5 July, 11am

Where: Stairway, Vermont

Tickets: Full $22, Group (10+) $20. Complimentary morning tea served from 10am

The Sunshine Club

The joyful, thought-provoking and acclaimed musical which focuses on Aboriginal soldier Frank Doyle and his desire to change things for the better in post-WWII Brisbane. He opens The Sunshine Club, a place where all people are welcome to come together, laugh, romance and dance the night away.

When: Friday 7 July, 7.30pm and Saturday 8 July, 1.30pm

Where: One Community, Blackburn

Tickets: Full $55, Concession $52 Visit theround.com.au for more information.

Pruning And Naturestrips

Pruning keeps trees clear of power lines

Council manages tree pruning on public land to ensure a safe distance between trees and power lines.

Pruning will continue in Forest Hill in July, and also possibly begin in Vermont in late July.

Pruning is done in accordance with the Electric Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2020 and also with Council’s Electric Line Clearance Management Plan.

More information: www. whitehorse.vic.gov.au/ naturestrips

Kids Immunisations

Council provides free vaccinations against infectious diseases for children aged from six weeks to 19 years old, as well as a limited range of vaccines for eligible adults in accordance with the National Immunisation Program Schedule. Council has a booking system for the Public Immunisation Program. To make a booking, please phone 9262 6197. Those without a booking will not be vaccinated.

Scan the QR code for the immunisation schedule: